Word Origin & History

1590s, giraffa, from Italian giraffa, from Arabic zarafa, probably from an African language. Earlier Middle English spellings varied wildly, depending on the source, including jarraf, ziraph, and gerfauntz, some apparently directly from Arabic, the last reflecting some confusion with olifaunt "elephant."

The modern form of the English word is attested by c.1600 and is via French girafe. Replaced earlier camelopard, a compound of camel (for the long neck) and pard (n.1) "leopard" (for the spots).

Example Sentences for giraffes

"I just wanted to see one," said Rectus, as if he had been talking of kangaroos or giraffes.

The same means for driving the giraffes into the trap were again employed.

The giraffes might be shot down, but how were they to be taken alive?

The giraffes had become tame, and there was no reason why they should not be easily retaken.

“Then we must follow it till the giraffes are retaken,” answered Willem.

The giraffes were untied and taken up to the place where the horses had been left.

Turning suddenly in their tracks, the giraffes commenced a rapid retreat.

His thief object was to find a country frequented by hippopotami and giraffes.

The spoor of the giraffes must have been found and followed, or they would have been back before then.

Seven giraffes had been destroyed, nearly all of them by having their necks broken.